1933 501 Rigid Jean

The "1933 501 Jean Rigid" from Levi's Vintage Clothing reconstructs the 501 from the pre-World War II era, showing a transitional phase in the development of jeans: for the first time, belt loops were added to the classic cinch back and suspender buttons. Many wearers already opted out of suspenders and had the cinch removed directly at the rivet – some Levi's dealers even kept large scissors ready at the checkout for this purpose.

The jeans are made of 100% cotton and are based on a classic, untreated selvedge denim. As a rigid or shrink-to-fit version, the fabric only reaches its final size after the first wash. When shrinking, not only the dimensions but also the feel and drape of the denim change. With wear, the indigo develops its individual fade pattern at creases, edges, and stressed areas.

Many details come directly from the 1933 construction. The back pockets feature exposed copper rivets, while heavily stressed areas continue to be reinforced with rivets. The leather patch bears the Two-Horse motif, which has stood for the durability of Levi's jeans since the late 19th century. The back pocket also features the redesigned "Guarantee Ticket" from 1933. Instead of the earlier "This Is A Pair Of Them," it now says "This Is A Pair Of Levi’s" – a reaction to the increasing use of the name Levi’s as a generic term for jeans. Below the leather patch is the small NRA label with the blue eagle. It refers to the National Recovery Administration, whose labor guidelines Levi Strauss & Co. adhered to during the American economic crisis.

• 33501-0049 1933 501 Jean Rigid
• Made in Japan
• 100% cotton
• Japanese Selvedge Denim
• Exposed copper rivets (back pockets, crotch)
• Cinch-Back
• Button fly
• "Two Horse" leather patch
• Mid Rise
• Regular Straight
• Rigid, Unwashed
• Shrink-to-Fit – shrinks by approx. 10% on first wash